Page 147 of The White King's Favorite

“That’s right,” said her father. “We have limited resources, and way too many people, beggars, trying to get to it. We cannot afford to let this nation bleed out more from useless blood-suckers. The strongest shall survive.”

Ashen chuckled, although there was nothing joyous in his voice.

“You sound like my father,” he said, “and that’s not a compliment.”

“Your father may have had some wrongs, Your Highness,” retorted Yebekh, “but at least he had the guts to lead this country with a strong hand. One king cannot reign by only listening to his personal whims... or have eyes for one woman.”

“Watch your mouth, Yebekh. I don’t tolerate traitors.”

“Your Majesty, I’m only telling some truths, as any wise man would advise his King... or warn him.”

His eyes were clearly staring at Cessilia, just like his niece and daughter that were already glaring at her. Cessilia was disgusted by this man. She had already thought he was a horrible creature that morning while trying to use her relationship with Ashen against her, but now, his political standpoint was perhaps even worse to hear.

“Let’s go,” groaned Ashen, pulling her behind him.

They cut across the room, briefly crossing paths with the Yekara, although they purposely left quite some space between them. Ashen didn’t spare them a second glance, but Cessilia didn’t shy away from their glares. She was clearly an annoying obstacle between their candidates and the King, and they didn’t even bother to hide their hatred. The smirk on the Clan Leader’s lips as she was pulled away annoyed Cessilia all the more.

“N-no, wait.”

Just as they were about to reach the doors and part with the irritating trio, Cessilia turned around, fiercely facing them.

“You knew th-the flood would p-put people at risk outside the C-Capital,” she said. “You d-didn’t send help at all. Almost all the families did, but you d-decided to ignore those p-people.”

“Those families are so poor and weak precisely because they can’t help but lose their wealth stupidly. It is their choice to waste money and goods on those useless people. The Yekara Clan shall stand strong, alone. We do not need to concern ourselves with those peasants. They should have left those beggars to die in the natural order of things and saved their wealth. No wonder they are still below us.”

Cessilia chuckled.

It was a brief, crystalline chuckle, but it was so sudden and sincere, the Yekara Leader lost his prideful attitude and knitted his brows, completely overthrown. Cessilia’s confident laugh made him lose his stance. Facing him, the Princess looked strangely relieved. Her smile was anything but what he had expected.

“You are th-the one making foolish choices, Lord Yebekh,” she calmly said.

“How dare you?!”

“You’re c-completely wrong,” she said, “and you will r-regret it too. The other t-tribes are the ones m-making smart c-choices, while you stay b-back and hide.”

“The Yekara Clan doesn’t hide!” he roared. “We don’t fear anything!”

“You d-do. You f-fear losing what you have. B-but you’re losing opportunities b-because you’re so afraid. The other t-tribes are already far ahead. You just d-don’t see it.”

“You’re ridiculous! They are stupidly losing money! Wasting it on beggars! They will soon come and beg us for their own food!”

“They will n-not. They are already p-preparing for the future, g-getting richer.”

Cessilia grabbed Ashen’s arm, with a confident smile that infuriated Lord Yebekh even more.

“They are n-not wasting their m-money. They are investing in p-people,” she declared, before pulling the King away with her.

Just before they left the room, Ashen noticed Yebekh’s furious expression and smirked. Cessilia had defeated this man once again, just with words, no swords or dragons needed.

As the two of them walked away, he smiled to himself, proud of his Princess. She was surprisingly eloquent, fierce, and sharp as a blade at times. They climbed the stairs together in silence, both enjoying this little victory over the Yekara Clan after a long day. They finally reached his room, and Cessilia let out a long sigh, taking Ashen’s fur cape and the raincoat off her shoulders. Meanwhile, he went to prepare the fire in the little fireplace, half-naked already. Cessilia easily found towels in the only wardrobe and began drying her long curls with one.

“How c-come you really d-don’t have many c-clothes?” she asked, staring at the half-empty wardrobe.

“I don’t really need them,” he shrugged, grabbing another towel. “It’s easier to move around without...”

“I d-don’t like it,” she frowned.

Every time they ran into some women, candidates, or servants, they couldn’t help but glance at the King’s impressive body, regardless of if they were scared or not. Cessilia didn’t like that at all. She rubbed her hair a bit more vigorously with the towel, reminiscing about the Yekara women that still had their hungry eyes on her man.

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